Dallas Basketball

Key Maverick Returns to Practice After Missing Previous Game

Dallas needs this versatile chess piece in the lineup

Austin Veazey

Dec 3, 2024; Dallas, Texas, USA; Dallas Mavericks forward P.J. Washington (25) reacts after scoring during the fourth quarter against the Memphis Grizzlies at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images
Dec 3, 2024; Dallas, Texas, USA; Dallas Mavericks forward P.J. Washington (25) reacts after scoring during the fourth quarter against the Memphis Grizzlies at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images / Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images
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The Dallas Mavericks have had some time to rest and recover after losing in the NBA Cup on Tuesday night to the OKC Thunder. They'll play Sunday in San Francisco against the Golden State Warriors before returning home and not playing again until Thursday, December 19th. That long break has allowed a key starter to return to practice.

P.J. Washington returned to practice for the Mavericks on Friday after missing Tuesday's game with an illness, seemingly the same one that has swept through nearly the entire team by now.

READ MORE: Where Mavericks Sit in NBA Power Rankings After NBA Cup Loss

Washington has become arguably the third most important player on the team behind Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving, as the Mavs are 1-5 in the games he's missed and 15-4 in the games he's played, averaging 12.7 PPG, 8.3 RPG (career high), and shooting 36% from three-point range. His backside rebounding while the bigs sometimes have to switch on the perimeter really is the glue that holds the defense together.

Maxi Kleber (illness), Jaden Hardy (ankle), and Naji Marshall (illness) did not participate in practice on Friday, though Marshall did play against the Thunder on Tuesday, and they still have two days before they play the Warriors to get some extra rest.

READ MORE: Former Maverick Speaks on 'Unhappy' Time with Franchise

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Austin Veazey
AUSTIN VEAZEY

Austin Veazey joined NoleGameday as the Lead Basketball Writer in 2019, while contributing as a football writer, and started as editor for MavericksGameday in 2024. Veazey was a Florida State Men’s Basketball Manager from 2016-2019. Follow Austin on Twitter at @EasyVeazeyNG

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